Isaac Mizrahi does not travel well.

On his video blog at isaacmizrahiny.com, the fashion designer who gained mass recognition designing a womenswear collection for Target, tells tales of popping Xanax before hitting the tarmac.

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Richard Drew / AP

Isaac Mizrahi has written a style book scheduled to hit shelves in October.

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But lately, with so much going on – he left Target earlier this year to revamp the Liz Claiborne label, he is preparing for the spring showing of his own collection, and he has written a style book scheduled to hit shelves in October – Mizrahi said he hardly notices getting on a plane anymore.

Which is part of the reason he agreed to come to Atlanta for a few hours on Monday as a special guest at Jeffrey Fashion Cares, the annual fashion show and fundraiser launched 16 years ago by Jeffrey Kalinsky, owner of two namesake boutiques in New York and Atlanta.

The event which last year raised more than $700,000 for breast cancer and AIDS, marks the beginning of Atlanta’s fall social season. Mizrahi is the second high profile designer to make an official appearance at the event, which features a reception, live auction, and runway presentation. Though the hardworking designer declined to speak about his move from Target to Liz Claiborne during a phone interview in advance of his visit, he did answer a few questions about what he’s most looking forward to in fashion this fall.

Q: What are some of your favorite looks for fall?

A: “I like sporty evening dresses, big ball gowns that look like they should be tweed suits. I also like a really sporty belt over a big evening dress.”

Q: Which items in your fall collection do you really love?

A: “I did a million furs that were so beautiful, and that is something that is going to get stronger and stronger. It’s like you need a little fur jacket instead of a sweater.”

Q: How is your new book “How to Have Style,” (Gotham, $30) different than the other style books out there?

A: “We worked on it for so long. I really felt like we were answering the question. I worked with 12 different women who were like case studies and they each had a problem with something that resonated with other women.”

Q: What style question do women always ask?

A: “People always want to know how to look thinner. For the answer to that question you’ll have to look in my book.”

Q: What is the one thing any woman needs to have good style?

A: “A sense of humor.”

Jeffrey Fashion Cares 2008 takes place at 7 p.m. Monday, at 55 Allen Plaza. Call 404-745-0293 for more information.